Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu just arrived at the White House Monday for talks with President Donald Trump. The meeting marks Netanyahu’s second visit since Trump returned to office earlier this year.

Israel and America share a special bond dating back decades. The two nations signed their first free trade agreement in 1985, establishing a precedent that has allowed 98% of goods to flow tax-free between the countries ever since.

But today’s meeting has taken on unexpected significance beyond the usual discussions of Middle East security.

Trump’s recently announced global tariff plan is already producing exactly the results he promised. Foreign leaders are now “lining up” to negotiate directly with the president, with Netanyahu securing the coveted first spot in what’s becoming a long line of world leaders seeking relief. So much for the doom and gloom predictions from the liberal media, right?

From ‘Fox News’:
“I can tell you that I am the first international leader, the first foreign leader, who will meet with President Trump on this issue, which is so important to Israel’s economy. There is a very long line of leaders who want to do the same regarding their own economies,” Netanyahu said.

Before their meeting, Trump took to Truth Social with a message of strength, urging Americans not to panic about his tariff strategy.

“Don’t be Weak! Don’t be Stupid…don’t be a PANICAN,” Trump wrote. “Be Strong, Courageous, and Patient, and GREATNESS will be the result!”

The president’s post strikes at the heart of his trade philosophy – America has been taken advantage of for too long, and now it’s time to negotiate from a position of strength. When was the last time you saw foreign leaders rushing to Washington to renegotiate unfair trade deals?

Trump’s Tariff Strategy Already Showing Results

Israel was caught off guard by the 17% tariff Trump imposed – a 10% baseline plus an additional 7%. This figure was calculated by examining the $7.4 billion trade deficit with Israel against $22.2 billion in imports to America.

Netanyahu’s primary goal for the meeting is to negotiate that figure back down to the 10% baseline. Israel has already taken steps to demonstrate good faith. Finance Minister Smotrich signed an order to eliminate remaining Israeli tariffs on American agricultural goods.

Alex Coman, a value-creation expert at Israel’s Holon Institute of Technology, sounded off on the situation.

“The fear is that these tariffs will hurt exports of diamonds as well as high-tech or defense systems like drones.” he said. “I am very optimistic that these tariffs will be reduced.”

This is exactly how it should work! Even our closest allies need to play by fair trade rules.

Leaders “Lining Up” to Negotiate with America

Netanyahu isn’t the only world leader scrambling to adjust to Trump’s economic strategy. The European Union has reportedly offered a “zero-for-zero” tariff proposal in response to Trump’s announcement.

Trump highlighted this success in another social media post.

“Oil prices are down, interest rates are down, food prices are down, there is NO INFLATION, and the long time abused USA is bringing in Billions of dollars a week from the abusing countries on Tariffs that are already in place,” Trump said.

These quick results stand in stark contrast to the panic pushed by media critics who predicted economic disaster following Trump’s tariff announcement.

Remember how the previous administration bent over backward for global approval? What did that get American workers besides shuttered factories and lost jobs?

Beyond Trade: Security and Strategic Partnership

While tariffs top the agenda, Netanyahu and Trump will discuss several critical security matters. The ongoing war in Gaza and efforts to free the remaining 59 hostages captured during Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack remain urgent priorities.

The meeting will also address Iran’s nuclear threat, Turkey’s military intervention in Syria, and strategies to counter the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants for Israeli leaders.

“The top issue to be discussed will be Iran because it seems [nuclear] negotiations might begin,” said Ariel Kahana, a senior diplomatic correspondent for the Israel Hayom newspaper. “Netanyahu will want to caution Trump ahead of time.”

America recently deployed a second THAAD anti-missile battery to Israel, highlighting the continued security cooperation between the nations despite trade tensions. That’s what real allies do – they can have tough economic conversations while still having each other’s backs on security.

The Trump-Netanyahu meeting demonstrates America’s restored leadership position on the world stage. While media critics predicted disaster, foreign leaders are now falling in line to negotiate directly with a president who puts American interests first. As nations from Israel to the European Union scramble to adjust their trade policies, American workers and businesses stand to benefit from this renewed position of strength in the global economy. Isn’t that what America First is all about?

Key Takeaways:

• Trump’s tariff strategy is working as foreign leaders rush to negotiate better terms.
• Israel seeks a reduction from a 17% to a 10% tariff rate while eliminating their own tariffs.
• Netanyahu secured the first position in a growing line of world leaders seeking trade talks.
• America is bringing in “billions weekly” from tariffs while economic indicators improve.

Sources: Fox News